Spurs notebook: De Colo doesn't skip a beat in return to lineup from Toros

Published 11:05 pm, Sunday, March 17, 2013

Spurs guard Nando De Colo drives between Cleveland's C.J. Miles (left) and Marreese Speights during the Spurs' 119-113 victory Saturday at the AT&T Center.

Spurs guard Nando De Colo drives between Cleveland's C.J. Miles (left) and Marreese Speights during the Spurs' 119-113 victory Saturday at the AT&T Center.

Photo: Billy Calzada / Express-News

Spurs notebook: De Colo doesn't skip a beat in return to lineup from Toros

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After going 2-1 as a starter in games when All-Star Tony Parker wasn't available, rookie Nando De Colo had to be wondering why his playing time all but disappeared once Gregg Popovich opted to use Cory Joseph as his starter at the point, beginning March 6 against the Bulls.

De Colo played a total of just six minutes and 10 seconds in the next three games before logging 20 minutes in a blowout loss administered by the Timberwolves last Tuesday. That was followed by a game spent entirely on the bench in Thursday's win over Dallas, then an overnight assignment to the Spurs' D-League team, the Austin Toros, for a Friday night game against the Los Angeles D-Fenders.

So when Popovich yanked backup guard Gary Neal out after just 2:28 of the first quarter of Saturday's game against the Cavaliers, De Colo jumped at another chance to show the coaches what he could do.

Popovich was impressed after De Colo made 4 of 6 shots, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range, for 11 points and grabbed four rebounds in 24:10 of a 119-113 victory.

“I thought Nando did a great job because he's been sitting so much, and he got a shot to get out there on the court today, in both halves, and played very well,” Popovich said. “Not just because he made shots, but because he was ready to play and compete. That's a good professional attitude to have.”

De Colo acknowledged how difficult his benching had been but said every player has to remain ready anytime the coach calls his name.

“It's not easy in this situation,” he said, “but you know you are on the team, and the coach can ask you (to) go in the court in any moment. Just be ready, and know you have to be aggressive.

“This is the big one, to know you have to be aggressive.”

The Spurs have sent De Colo to Austin on three occasions to get valuable game experience. He insists he enjoys the trips up and down Interstate 35.

“When I go to Austin, it's good because I know I can have more time on the court,” he said. “This is the first one to just play my game and don't be worried about nothing, just go play, and that's it.

“Of course, when I come back here, then it's a little bit easier to be ready for the game, to be in the rhythm.”

Exhale, pause, repeat: The Spurs were thrilled when Popovich announced after Saturday's victory over the Cavs they would not be required to report to the practice complex until Tuesday. Not once in March did they have consecutive days off from practice or a game.

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“Very happy about that,” team captain Tim Duncan said after playing 34:37 against Cleveland? “It was a good run (against Cleveland) and good to get a lot of minutes out there and finish on a good note, but I welcome these two days. I'm going to use them and let my body recover as much as possible.”